Elizabeth Coder, 92, who helped her husband’s ministry, then worked to put her children through college, died Saturday, Feb. 23, in the Johnson Health Care Center at Windsor Park Manor in Carol Stream. Mrs. Coder was born in Philadelphia, one of 11 children. Her father died while her mother was pregnant, forcing Mrs. Coder, then a teenager, to end her schooling and take care of the younger children. In 1932 she married S. Maxwell Coder, who became a Presbyterian minister serving churches in Camden, N.J., Atlantic City and Philadelphia. “My mother was an active part of his ministry within his churches, teaching Sunday school and vacation Bible school,” said her daughter, Maxine Howard, who added that her mother was primarily a homemaker at that time. In the 1950s, the couple and their two children moved to Evanston when Mr. Coder became Dean of Education at Moody Bible Institute. In 1953, Mrs. Coder began her association with Rotary International where she did clerical work for many years to help put her children through college, her daughter said. Mrs. Coder enjoyed traveling and accompanied the Moody Choral on several European trips. Nine years ago she moved to Windsor Park Manor. In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Coder also is survived by a son, Dr. Donald M. Coder; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton. A funeral service will begin at 1:30 in the funeral home.
